Undergrad Textbooks: Physics, Chemistry & Biology

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SUMMARY

This discussion provides a comprehensive list of recommended undergraduate textbooks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. For Physics, notable mentions include "Fundamentals of Physics (Extended Edition)" by Halliday, Resnick, & Walker, and "Quantum Mechanics: Concepts & Applications" by Zettili. In Chemistry, "Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter & Change" by Silbergberg and "Organic Chemistry" by Wade are highlighted. For Biology, "Biology" by Campbell and Reece and "Genetic Analysis" by Griffiths et al. are suggested. A solid math background is emphasized as essential for success in Physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations for Physics.
  • Basic knowledge of organic chemistry for advanced Biology topics.
  • Familiarity with general chemistry concepts for foundational Chemistry understanding.
  • Ability to engage with complex texts for self-study in scientific subjects.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "Fundamentals of Physics (Extended Edition)" by Halliday, Resnick, & Walker for introductory Physics.
  • Explore "Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter & Change" by Silbergberg for foundational Chemistry knowledge.
  • Investigate "Biology" by Campbell and Reece for a comprehensive overview of Biology.
  • Study "Quantum Mechanics: Concepts & Applications" by Zettili for advanced self-study in Quantum Mechanics.
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate students in the sciences, educators seeking textbook recommendations, and self-learners aiming to enhance their knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Pronghorn
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I'm looking forward to buying some general undergraduate-level textbooks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. What are your suggestions?
 
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There are thousands of undergraduate textbooks in all of those subjects. You'll need to specify your question/whatever further.
 
Pronghorn said:
I'm looking forward to buying some general undergraduate-level textbooks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. What are your suggestions?

I don't know much about chem or bio, but for introductory physics textbooks I would go with Griffiths for Quantum and EM.
 
Chemistry
Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter & Change by Silbergberg <---- General
Organic Chemistry by Wade

that's it for chemistry that I can recommend. Other usual topics are inorganic chemistry and physical chemistry but I'm not sure on which textbooks I'd recommend

Biology:
Biology by Campbell and Reece <---- General
Genetic Analysis by Griffiths, Wessler, Lewontin, & Carroll
Evolutionary Analysis by Freeman & Herron

If you want to learn undergrad level cell biology, then make sure you know some organic chemistry before moving on! (also know some genetics)

Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level by Voet, Voet, & Pratt
Essential Cell Biology by Alberts, Bray, Hopkins, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts, & Walter

Physics:
make sure you have a decent math background!
Calculus, Linear Algebra, Vector Calculus, Complex Analysis, Ordinary Differential Equations, and Partial Differential Equations should be enough.

Fundamentals of Physics (Extended Edition) by Halliday, Resnick, & Walker <---- General
(note: this is a calculus-based introductory physics text which is really really good for self study IMO. Some people knock it for being too "elementary" or "watered" down, but I say for the autodidact it's best to take it one step at a time.)
Classical Mechanics by Taylor
Statistical Physics by Mandl (note: universities usually use Kittel or Schroeder, but I prefer this)
Introduction to Electrodynamics by Griffiths
Quantum Mechanics: Concepts & Applications by Zettili (note: QM by Griffiths is a standard among universities, but again, I'd have go with Zettili for self study)
Special Relativity by French
A First Course in General Relativity by Schutz (general relativity sometimes isn't covered in the undergraduate curriculum)


In case you'd like some math textbook recommendation as well (that aren't really rigorous) for undergrad physics

Math:
Calculus by Larson & Edwards
Elementary Linear Algebra by Larson, Edwards, & Falvo
Differential Equations w/ Boundary Value Problems by Polking, Boggess, & Arnold
Partial Differential Equations with Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems by Asmar
Introduction to Vector Analysis by Davis & Snider
Fundamentals of Complex Analysis with Applications to Engineering, Science, and Mathematics by Saff & Snider


all of these books are easy to read and great for self study IMO
 

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